Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, and sentences. They usually appear immediately before the word they modify or at the end of a clause or sentence. Some common types of adverbs include adverbs of place and time, frequency, expectation, focus, degree, manner, viewpoint, and comment. Adverbs have different positions depending on their function and can change the focus and meaning of a sentence.

1. Adverbs
Oxford Practice Grammar
(Advanced)

2. What are adverbs?
 Adverbs can modify:
 VERBS
 ADJECTIVES
 OTHER ADVERBS
 SENTENCES
She always does everything really thoroughly
and seems totally dedicated to her job.

3. Position of Adverbs (I)
 Usually immediately BEFORE the
ADJECTIVES and ADVERBS they modify.
It’s nearly complete.
Is it politically correct?
She did it fairly easily.
He spoke very quietly.

4. Position of Adverbs (II)
 When modifying VERBS or SENTENCES, adverbs can
appear IN FRONT or END POSITION of the clause or
sentence.
Usually I have a piece of toast and orange juice in the
morning. I might have a snack later.
 In MID POSITION after BE or AUXILIARY.
Some people are always hungry when they wake up.
 BEFORE the MAIN VERB
I really prefer to wait a while before eating.

5.  We do not put adverbs between a verb
and its object:
 (x) I drink sometimes coffee

6. Adverbs of PLACE and TIME
 Used to add information on LOCATION or
DIRECTION
 Usually in END POSITIONS
 Before adverbs of time: recently, tomorrow
I slipped and fell backwards
I haven’t been abroad recently

7. Adverbs of FREQUENCY
 Adverbs of DEFINITE FREQUENCY (annually,
daily, twice…) in END POSITION.
Rooms are cleaned daily.
I’ve seen that film twice.
 Adverbs of INDEFINITE FREQUENCY (ever,
often, usually…) in MID POSITION.
It usually rains in the evening.
Does he ever study?

8. Expectation Adverbs (I): ALREADY
 Used to express a connection between
events and expectations
 ALREADY: MID or END position (the
event is earlier than expected)
His plane has already arrived.
Mrs Black had left already.

9. Expectation Adverbs (II): STILL
 STILL is used to say that something is
going on longer than expected, usually in
MID position.
We are still waiting.

10. Expectation Adverbs (III):
NO LONGER, NOT…ANY LONGER/MORE
 Used when an event was expected to
continue but it did not. Usually in MID or
END position:
It no longer works.
We couldn’t stay there any longer.
She doesn’t live here any more.

11. Expectation Adverbs (III): YET
 YET (=up to now) is used to show that an
event is or was expected. Usually at the
END of QUESTIONS, NEGATIVES and
EXPRESSIONS OF UNCERTAINTY
Have you read it yet?
Classes haven’t started yet.
I’m not sure if he’s finished yet.

12. Focus Adverbs: EVEN, JUST, ONLY
 Used to draw attention to ONE part of the
sentence:
She was only joking.
He can’t even swim.
Her research isn’t just about English.
 We can change the focus and the meaning by
changing the position of the adverb:
Mark only works here on Fridays (only Fridays)
Only Mark works here on Fridays (only Mark)

13. Degree Adverbs (I)
 Used to say to what extent something is done or
felt. REALLY, COMPLETELY, TOTALLY, …
He totally forgot.
She really hates fish.
We failed completely.
 PRETTY, QUITE, RATHER: before adjectives
and adverbs
They’re pretty good.
It’s quite tasty.

14.  A BIT, A LITTLE (we don’t use them with
adjectives before nouns)
She’s feeling a little tired.
The music is a bit loud.
(NOT: It’s a bit loud music)
 We don’t use VERY before verbs

15. Degree Adverbs (III)
 MORE/LESS and MOST/LEAST are used as
degree adverbs in comparatives and
superlatives.
Going by train can be more convenient and less
expensive.
 TOO before adjectives and adverbs; ENOUGH
after them
It’s too difficult.
Is this box big enough?

16. Adverbs of MANNER (I)
 Used to say how something is done.
Usually in END position.
I’ll read it carefully.
They searched the room quickly and thoroughly.

17. Adverbs of MANNER (II)
 Angrily
 Anxiously
 Cheerfully
 Gloomily
 Impatiently
 Passionately
 seriously

18. VIEWPOINT Adverbs
 Used to describe the perspective or point
of view being considered. Usually in END
position or in FRONT position with a
comma.
It was not done scientifically.
Financially, the project makes sense.

19. COMMENT Adverbs (I)
 Used to include a comment or opinion
about what is said or written. Usually in
FRONT or END positions. The adverb
PROBABLY can appear in MID position.
It was probably a misunderstanding.
Surprisingly, he failed.
I’ll refund the cost, of course.

20. COMMENT Adverbs (II)
 We use DEFINITELY and OBVIOUSLY to say
how sure we are.
I’ll definitely call you tonight.
Obviously, someone forgot to lock the door.
 We use FORTUNATELY and SERIOUSLY to
say how we feel.
Fortunately, no one was injured.
We’re seriously thinking about moving.

21. COMMENT Adverbs (III)
 Actually
 Apparently
 Certainly
 Frankly
 Honestly
 No doubt
 Presumably
 sadly